Egg cracking mechanism



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EGG CRACKING MECHANISM Original Filed Oct. 18. 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 10000000- m 'OOOOG"O-' 9g 00 0900- 00000000 w w 00000000 i INVENTOR.

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C. H. WILLSEY EGG CRACKING MECHANISM July 21, 1959 Original Filed Oct.18, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. CkarZea/Y Wd'ag BY July 21, 1959cfH. WlLLSEY' 2,395,587

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12cc CRACKING MECHANISM Original Filed Oct. 18, 1952 8 Sheets-Sheet 7INVEN TOR.

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IIIIIMHIII Ill IL] Ill] United States Patent 9 EGG CRACKING Charles H.Willsey, Topeka, Kans. original appliication October 18, on, Serial No.315,447, new Patent No. 2,760,536, dated August 2 8, 1956. Divided andthis application January 5, 1956, Serial No. 557,592

16 Claims. (CL-19S27) This invention relates to egg handling apparatusand is more particularly concerned with improvements in a machine havingmechanism for cracking or breaking successive eggs and separating thebroken shell portions to deliver the contents therefrom together withcooperating mechanism for receiving the egg contents and for separatingthe yolks from the whites.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 315,447, filedOctober 18, 1952, now Patent No. 2,760,536.

Mechanisms which have heretofore been proposed for breaking or crackingeggs, separating the broken or cracked shell into portions anddelivering the contents from the separated shell portions, with meansbeing provided for separating the yolks and the whites, have not beensatisfactory primarily because they have not operated efiiciently uponthe eggs or because they have not met necessary sanitation requirements.

It is a generat object of the present invention to provide an improvedegg handling machine having mechanism for advancing successive eggs to acracking; station, mechanism for automatically cracking or breaking? theshells of the successive eggs and delivering the contents thereof fromthe broken shells to successive receptacles at the cracking station andmechanism for conveying the successive receptacles from the crackingstation while simultaneously separating the yolk from the whites,wherein the eggs are handled in an eflic-ient manner and whereinadequate provision is made for maintaining the machine in asanitarycondition. y

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide .a machinewherein a plurality of eggs are delivered on end to a holding orsupporting conveyor, the individual eggs are advanced along apredeterminedpath to a point where, with both ends gripped, the shelliscracked and separated into two portions which are moved to invertedposition to discharge or dump the contents therefrom, and wherein aplurality of conveyor carrier receptacles for receiving the egg.contents are provided whichare moved in a closed path with mechanismalong the latter path operative on the receptacles to separate the yolksfrom the whites and to discharge the sameinto separate receiving traysor containers. s

It is another object of the invention to provide in an egg crackingmachine an endless conveyor mechanism having a plurality of eggreceiving suction 'cups thereon, a rotary frame at one end of theconveyor also having a plurality of suction cups thereon which arearranged to cooperate with the suction cups on the conveyor mechanismwhereby to grasp each eggat oppositeends as the cups on the conveyormechanism and on the rotary frame move into cooperating relation, incombination with cracking knives pivoted on the conveyor mechanismadjacent each of the suction cups, and mechanism for operating theknives to strike and break theshells of successive eggs as they aregrasped by the cooperating" suction cups whereby the shells are dividedinto separate portions and the contents are discharged or dumped as thesuction cups on the conveyor mechanism and the rotary frame advance intheir respective paths and carry the shell portions inoppositedirections.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in an egg crackingmachine an endless conveyor having a plurality of egg receiving suctioncups thereon, a rotary frame mounted at one end of the endless conveyorhaving a plurality of similar cups arranged thereon to co-' operate withthe suction cups on the endless conveyor, whereby to grasp each egg atopposite ends as the cups on the conveyor move around the end of thesame, in combination with spring loaded cracking knives pivoted on theconveyor adjacent each of the suction cups and mechanism for actuatingthe knives to strike and break the shells of successive eggs as they aregrasped by the cooperating suction cups whereby the shells are dividedinto separate portions and the contents are discharged or dumped as thesuction cups advance in their respective paths andthe shell portionsmove in opposite directions.

it is another object of the invention to provide in an egg crackingmachine a transfer mechanism for delivering a plurality of eggs,arranged in row formation, from a feed conveyor to a continuously movingcracking conveyor, with the eggs being deposited on the crackingconveyor for advancing movement thereby in single file relation. u

It is a further object of the invention to provide in an egg crackingmachine a cracking conveyor having a plurality of egg holding membersthereon and a cracking assembly associated with each holding member forgauging the sizeof the egg and cracking the shell thereof as it reachesa cracking station where separation of the cracked portions of the shellwill automatically discharge the contents therefrom.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide in an eggcracking machine an endless conveyor having a plurality of suction cupsthereon each of which is adapted to grasp and hold an end of an egg,each of the cups having a combination size gauging and cracking knifeassembly associated therewith which is adapted to automatically positiona cracking knife for cracking the shell of the egg, regardless of thesize of the egg, and to insure that the cracking knife engages the shellsufiiciently to br'leal'; the shell without breaking the yoke orotherwise disturbing the contents of the egg.

If is another object of the invention to provide in an egg {crackingmachine a cracking conveyor having thereon a plurality of suction cupsfor holding the eggs and a cracking knife assembly removably mountedadjacent each suction cup together with mechanism for adjusting thecracking knife assembly to a predetermined position, according to thesize of the egg held in the associated suction cups, to position acracking knife for automatically breaking the egg shell when the suctioncup is advanced to a cracking station at one end of the conveyor.

it is 'a further object of the invention to provide in an egg crackingmachine a continuously movable cracking conveyor having a plurality offlexible suction cups thereon with each of the cups being adapted toreceive one end of an egg and a cooperating continuously movableconveyor having a plurality of flexible suction cups thereon with eachof the cups adapted to be moved successively i'nt'o opposed relation toa cup on the cracking conveyo'r for engaging the end of the egg receivedtherein whereby the eggs are moved through a predetermined crackingposition while confined at both ends and egg shell releasing mechanismassociated with each conveyor for engaging the flexible cups to insurerelease of the shell portions therefrom after the cups advance beyondthe cracking position.

It is another object of the invention to provide in an egg crackingmachine a conveyor having removably mounted thereon a plurality of cupassemblies for receiving the contents of the eggs as they are broken andthe shell portions are separated wherein the cup assemblies comprise amain portion having a bottom aperture therein and a yolk holding portionmovably mounted 1n the aperture and normally closing the same andwherein cam elements are provided along the path of the conveyor forelevating the yolk holding portions to permit the albumen to drainthrough the bottom apertures m the main portions of the cup assembliesand wherein the cup assemblies are swingable relative to the conveyor toa yolk dumping position at a predetermined point in their path ofmovement.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in a mechanism of thetype described conveyor mounted egg contents receiving cups andmechanism associated therewith whereby the cups may be adjusted to swingrelative to the conveyor for dumping the contents at different locationsalong the conveyor to permit selective separation of the contents intodifferent receiving containers.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from aconsideration of the egg handling machine which is shown by way ofillustration in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, with portions broken away, of a machine embodyingthe principal features of applicants invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of one side of the machine, to a larger scale,showing, particularly, the egg feeding mechanism;

Figs. 3A and 38 together constitute an enlarged elevation of anotherside of the machine, showing particularly the drive mechanism andportions of the separating cups and their conveyor mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a section taken generally on the line 44 of Fig. 1, to anenlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detailed view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1, toan enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 77 of Fig. 1, to an enlarged scaleand with portions broken away;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the cracking conveyormechanism, taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7, and to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9, to an enlargedscale;

Fig. 11 is a detail section taken on the line 1111 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 12 is a detail section taken on the line 1212 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail section taken on the line 13-13 of Fig.3A;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the mechanism atthe cracking station;

Fig. 15 is a detail section taken on the line 1515 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation taken on the line 1616 ofFig. l, with portions broken away and other portions in section;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 16;and

Fig. 18 is a detail section taken on the line 18-18 of Fig. 16.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings the general arrangementand operation of the machine will first be described. The machinecomprises a feed or loading conveyor 10 for supplying eggs in successiverow arrangement, a transfer mechanism 11 for delivering successive rowsof the eggs to an egg supporting or crack- 13 which cooperates with thecracking conveyor mechanism 12 to hold successive eggs at the crackingstatlon, and a separating and delivering conveyor mechanism 14 forreceiving the contents of successive eggs at the cracking station andthereafter separating the whites and the yolks and delivering the sameseparately from the machine.

The loading or feeding conveyor 10 is arranged to move in a horizontalplane and receives the eggs on its upper run. The eggs are positioned onthe conveyor 10 either manually, or by automatic placing and deliveringmeans. The conveyor 10 moves the eggs up to a position beneath thetransfer mechanism 11 in rows of six extending transversely of theconveyor. The transfer mechanism 11 picks up successive rows of eggsfrom the feeding conveyor 10 and moves through a circular path ofapproximately 180 to deliver them to the upper run of the conveyormechanism 12 which is operative in a vertical plane, with the upper runspaced forwardly of the end of the conveyor 10. The conveyor mechanism12 which receives the eggs with the ends thereof seated in a series ofsuction cups or holders 15 advances the eggs in a single line around theleading end thereof to bring each successive egg into a generallyhorizontal position where the cracking occurs. Each egg is held at thecracking station with one end in a holding cup 15 on the conveyor 12 andwith the other end in a cooperating holding cup 16 on the rotary head 13which is arranged adjacent the leading end of the conveyor 12.

advances the receiving cups 17 beyond the cracking sta- 'tion the. yolksand the whites are separated and delivered into separate containers.

The feed conveyor 10 and the transfer mechanism 11 are mounted on anindependent auxiliary supporting frame 18 (Fig. 2) for movement awayfrom the main frame 19 which supports the remainder of the machine, tofacilitate cleaning and assembling operations. The feed conveyorsupporting frame 18 comprises the corner uprights 20 and the top framemembers 21. The conveyor 10 comprises laterally spaced endless sidechains 22, mounted at one end on the sprockets 23, the latter beingsupported on a cross shaft 24 extending between upstanding bearingplates 25 on the top portion 21 of the supporting frame. At the otherend the chains 22 are supported on sprockets 26 which are mounted on across shaft 27 extending between upstanding brackets 28 and 29. The eggsare supported on a series of cross plates 30 each of which is providedwith six holes 31, each of the holes being adapted to support an eggwith the long axis arranged in a vertical direction. The plates 30 areeach pivotally mounted on a cross shaft 32 at the for ward end which ismounted in pivotal relation on brackets 33 arranged on the top portionsof the links on the side chains 22. The cross shaft 27 at the forwardend of the conveyor is extended outwardly at one side of the conveyorand carries on its outer end an operating ratchet wheel 34. A saddle 35,pivotally mounted on the shaft 27, straddles the ratchet wheel 34 andcarries a spring pressed dog 36 which engages the ratchet wheel 34. Thesaddle 35 is operated or oscillated by means of the link ing conveyormechanism 12 which advances the eggs to l a cracking station, a rotaryhead or holding mechanism vance the feed conveyor the distance necessaryto position the next row of eggs for the transfer operation.

The conveyor 10 is provided at its forward end (Figs.

4-6) with an egg lifting mechanism for positioning the eggs for properengagement by the transfer mechanism 11. The lifting mechanism comprisesa plurality of relatively narrow elongate lifting plate members 38 whichare positioned with their forward ends beneath the" apertures 31 in theplate 30 as the plate 30" moves up to the end of the conveyor in properposition for delivery therefrom of the eggs which are supported intheapertures 31. The lifting plates or fingers 38 are secured in forwardlyextending relation on a rock shaft 3 9 journal'ed in the side supportingplates 28' and 29. The rock shaft 39 is extended at one end and providedwith a relatively small arm member 40 (Fig. 5 which is adapted to beengaged by one arm 41 of a bell crank, the latter being pivotallymounted at 42 on the support plate 28 with the other arm 43 thereofextending upwardly therefrom and carrying a pin 44 which is engaged bythe transfer device as the transfer device 11 is operated to positionthe egg engaging portion thereof above the end of the conveyor 11). Atthe other end the rock shaft 39 is extended slightly and carries anarm45. A tension spring 46 connected at one end to the arm 45 and at theother end to a fixed portion of the supporting plate 29 tends to urgethe rock shaft 39 in the direction for retracting the lifter plates 38,the ends of the plates 38- being immediately above the conveyor drive orcross shaft 27. A generally U-shaped cam bar 46 extends above the end ofthe conveyor with its legs fastened to the support plates 28 and 29 Theupper run of the conveyor 10 is supported in horizontal position bysupport members extending longitudinally above the top frame members 21which are supported by the side plates 28 and 29 at one end and byupstanding brackets 47 at the other end. 7

The egg transfer mechanism 11 is mounted on a supporting plate member 48extending horizontally at the forward end of the frame support for theconveyor 10, which plate member is itself supported by verticallyextending side plates 49 and a cross bar connecting structure 50. A rockshaft 51 extends transversely of the path of the conveyor 10 and isjournaled in upright supporting posts or brackets 52, 53 (Fig. 3A) whichare in turn supported in the horizontal plate member 48'. At one end therock shaft 51 is extended beyond the post 52 and carries a small gear 54at its outer end which is in driving relation with the larger gear'55supported ona stub shaft 56 which is journaled in a-bearing 57 extendingupwardly of the support plate 48. The gear 55 is oscillated by means ofa link 58 (Fig. 2) which has one end pivotally connected at 59 to thegear 55 and the other end pivotally connected at 60 to an eccentric 61mounted on a power shaft 62. Oscillation of the link 58 by the powershaft 62' causes oscillation of the gear 55 which oscillates the smallgear 54 on the end of the rock shaft 51. The shaft 51 has an arm 63mounted on the end thereof which is pivotally connected at 64 to the endof the link 37 so that each oscillation of the rock shaft 51 advancesconveyor 10 one step to present a row of eggs for the next operation ofthe transfer device.

The rock shaft 51 has mounted thereon adjacent the supporting standards52 and 53 a' pair of supporting arm members 65, 66 of generally U-shapedformation, these arm members each having a relatively long bight portionand relatively short leg portions and one of the legs of each of themembers being secured to the rock shaft 51. A smaller rock shaft 67 isjo'urnaled in the outer free ends or legs of the support arms 65, 66.The smaller rock shaft 67 is provided at one end with a collar 68 and isextended at the other end and carries thereon a collar 69 and acompression spring 70 between the collar 69 and the adjacent support arm65, the shaft 67 being supported in the ends of the arms 65 and 66 sothat it is capable of both rotative and longitudinal sliding movementrelative to the arms 65 and 66; The sliding movement is resisted by thesprin'g70 which urges the shaft 67 toward its normal position when it isfree. The rock shaft 67 carries a gripper support plate 71 which isconnected thereto by a plurality of posts 72 depending from the shaft67. The plate 71 carries on its opposite or lower face a plurality ofgripper assemblies for engaging" and gripping the row of eggs while theyare in transit from the feeding conveyor 10 to the cracking conveyor 12.7

Each of the egg gripper assemblies comprises a pair or depending fixedgripper fingers 73 (Fig. 4) whichare arranged in spaced relationadjacent one side edge of the supporting plate" 71 and a movable grippermember 74 pivotally mounted at the other side edge of the plate 71. Themovable gripper member 74 is provided with bearing forming ears ortrunnions 75 which are received on a pivot rod 76 secured along theforward edge of the plate 71 so that the member 74 may be swung towardand from the gripper fixed members 73. Each of the grippers 74 isprovided with an angular related finger member 77 which extendsoutwardly of the edge of the plate 71 and of the pivot rod 76 and whichcontrols the movement of the gripper 74. The arm '77 is provided with anupstanding pair of ears 78 to which there is pivotally connected one endof a latching bar element 79', the latching element 79 extendinggenerally parallel to the uppermost face of the plate 71 and across thesame. The latching bar 79 is urged towards the uppermost face of theplate 71 by a tension spring 80 which is connected at one end to anintermediate portion of the bar 79 and at the other end to the plate 71.At the free end of the latching bar 79 a notched formation 81 isprovided in the bottom of the bar to engage in latching relation theedge of the plate 71 when the gripper member 74 is moved to apredetermined gripping position. The latch bar 79 is extended at 82 forengagement with the cam or tripping bar 46 on they conveyor 10' when thetransfer mechanism is operated to position the gripper assemblies over arow of eggs at the leading end of the conveyor 10. The arms 74 of thegripper assemblies are, of course, held in non-engaging or open relationuntil the transfer plate 71, carrying the gripper assemblies, approachesthe proper position for picking up the row of eggs, above the leadingend of the conveyor 10, when further movement of the plate 71 engagesthe ends 82 of the latch bars 79 with the cam bar 46 and allows thegripper arms 74 to pivot into closed position engaging the eggs on theconveyor plate 30. During the movement of the transfer assemblies thesupporting plate 71'- is held in a generally horizontal position bymechanism controlling the rotation of the rock shaft 67 as it is swungby movement of its support arms 65 and 66 through an arc ofapproximately 180. The rock shaft 67 carries at one end a sprocket 83which rotates with the shaft 67 and which is connected by a drive chain84 with a sprocket 85 fixed on the rock shaft 51. The sprocket 83 issplined on the shaft- 67 so that it rotates with the. shaft 67 but isslidable thereon and permits the shaft 67 to move axially withoutmisalignment of the sprockets 83 and 85. As the arms 65 and 66 are swungin their path of movement by the shaft 51 the shaft 67 is rocked orrotated to hold the grippers 73 and 74- in generally vertical position.The shaft 67 carries a depending arm 86 adjacent one end and having adepending cam rod 87 provided at its lower end with an angled endportion 83. As the transfer mechanism is operated to position thegripper assemblies for pick-up of the eggs from the conveyor 10 the camrod- 87 engages with a cam member 89 (Fig. 4) which is supported on thepost 53 to tilt the support plate 71 and position the fixed gripperfingers 73 to clear the tops of the row of eggs and insure that therewill be no interference with movement of the grippers into position forengagement with the eggs. The curved end 88 on the rod 87 first engagesthe cam fixed members 89 and tilts the plate-71- sufficient to insureclearance of the fingers 73' and, as the gripper assemblies descend intothe gripping position, allows the fingers 73 to move somewhat nearer toengagement with the eggs.

As the gripper assemblies move into position for ento move the ends offingers 38 into engagement with the bottoms of the eggs on the conveyorplate 30 and lift the eggs sufiicient to insure that they are properlyseated or engaged between the gripper fingers 73 and 74 of the gripperassemblies.

The egg holding and supporting mechanism 12 (Figs. 1, 2 and 7) whichcarries the eggs in single file succession to a cracking position ismounted on an upstanding plate support 100, which is in turn mounted ona main supporting frame comprising uprights 101 and top frame members102 which connect the same and which support the upstanding plate 100.The egg supporting and conveying mechanism 12 comprises an endless chainarrangement which is mounted for movement on an idler supporting drummember 103 and a driven supporting drum member 104. The conveyorsupporting drum 103 which is mounted on an idler shaft 105 is hexagonalin cross section and provides around its periphery six seats for chainlink forming members, which will be described. The supporting shaft 105is adjustably positioned on the supporting plate 100 so that tension inthe conveyor can be adjusted. The driven drum 104 which is mounted onthe driven shaft 106 is octagonal in section, providing on its peripheryeight seats for receiving the chain forming members. The driven shaft106 is journaled in the support plate 100 and connected to a drivemechanism in a manner which will be subsequently described.

The conveyor forming portion of the mechanism 12 comprises a pluralityof supporting plates 107 (Figs. 8 and 9) which have a link formingsection 108 and a laterally extending section 109. The link formingsection is provided at one side edge with a bearing forming portion orextension 110 for receiving the connecting pin 111 which joins it withthe next adjacent link section 108. On the other side edge the linksection 108 is provided with a pair of spaced bearing forming extensions112 for receiving the connecting pin 111 which joins the link to thenext adjacent link. The link section 108 supports on its outer face acup member 15 which is adapted to receive and grip one end of an eggwhen the latter is positioned therein with its long axis generallynormal to the outer face thereof. The cup member 15 (Figs. 9 andcomprises a funnel-shaped rubber section 114 which is positioned on atubular nipple formation 115 extending outwardly of the plate section108. The tubular nipple 115 is seated over an aperture 116 in the platesection 108 which provides a passageway for suction from the interior ofthe cup member 114 through the plate section 108. The rubber cup member114 is provided with an internal flange or shoulder 117 which, when thecup is positioned on the nipple 115, is in spaced relation to the end ofthe nipple 115, and a sponge rubber pad 118 is 123 is generallyrectangular in shape with a relatively large aperture or recess 124 atthe one end which is of generally circular formation and which is openat one side. The supporting post 122 is arranged adjacent one edge ofthe plate 123 so that when the post is positioned in the support 120 onthe plate section 109 the plate 123 is positioned in spaced parallelrelation above the plate 107 and the top portion of the rubber eggholding cup 114 is received within the aperture 124. At a corner ofplate member 123 opposite the aperture 124 there is provided adownwardly extending hollow post 125 which is open at the side facingoutwardly of the corner of the plate member 123 and which receives thepin 126 on the upper end of which there is supported a breaker knife127, the pin 126 being supported in rotatable relation in the hollowpost 125 and the pin 126 and knife 127 being removable outwardly throughthe open side of the post 125. The cracking or breaking knife 127carries at its outer or free end a blade section 128 having a cuttingedge which is curved to correspond generally with the curvature of theaperture 124. The blade 128 is arranged so that when it is pivoted toclosed or cutting position and the end 129 engages with a rubber stopmember 130 on the end of the base plate 123 the knife 128 and the curvedsection of the plate 123 defining the aperture 124 form a generallycircular or closed aperture corresponding approximately in shape to thecross section of a normal egg but being somewhat smaller in size thanthe cross section of the smallest egg which would be likely to be fed tothe machine for cracking. When the complete knife assembly is mounted onplate 107 the pin 126 is received in and extends through an aperture 131in the outer end of the plate section 109 and arranged below theaperture 131 there is a bent wire spring 132 secured at one end to theplate 107 and with its free end movable across the opening 131 to engagein a peripheral groove 133 on the end of pin 126 and prevent removaltherefrom of the plate 107. The knife arm 127 extends positioned betweenthe flange 117 and the end of the 1 Each of the plates 107 carries onthe outwardly extending portion 109 a combination egg gauge and cutteror cracking knife assembly 119. The knife assembly 119 is received andsupported on the plate section 109, primarily by a hollow post 120,which extends outwardly normal to the face of the plate section 109, thelatter being apertured at 121 to provide a passageway through the platesection 109 for a supporting and guiding post member 122 which carriesat one end the support or base plate 123 for the gauge and breakerassembly 119. The base plate beyond the pivot pin 126 at the endopposite the knife edge 128 and is pointed at its outer end at 134 forengagement with the inner edge of a latch plate 135. The latch plate 135forms the head portion of a T-shaped latch member 136 on which the sternportion 137 and the head portion 135 are in planes at right angles toeach other and the stem portion 137 is pivotally mounted at 138 on theinner or bottom face of base plate 123. The stem 137 of the latch member136 and the knife arm 127 are connected by a tension spring 139 which ismounted at opposite ends on pins 140 and 141, on the latch stem 137 andthe knife arm 127, respectively. The spring 139 urges the latch plate135 into latching position for engagement with the end 134 of the knifearm 127 and also urges the knife arm 127 toward the aperture 124 in theplate 123 for the cracking operation. The base plate 123 may be notched,if required, at the edge adjacent the pivot post to clear the pin 141.The corner of the plate 123 may also be notched at 142 to receive theinner edge of the latch plate and provide a stop for the latter. The pin126 carries in fixed relation thereon a bell crank having arms 143 and143' which control the movement of the knife assembly in a manner whichwill be described subsequently. The base plate 123 also carries at theinner side of the aperture 124 a depending flange portion 144 whichextends along the inner side of the egg holding cup 15 and which is fora purpose which will be described subsequently. Each of the plates 107which constitute the conveyor carries one of the cracking assemblies119.

Certain of the plates 107 carry an angle plate member 145, which will bereferred to subsequently. The drum 104 supporting the leading end of thebreaking conveyor is provided with a series of vacuum passageways 146(Fig. 11) having a radial portion terminating in the center of each faceor seat 147 for the conveyor chain plates 107 with a washer or pad 148of suitable material to form a seal around the aperture 116 in the plateportion 108. The passageways 146 have an axial portion which isconnected to a suitable source of vacuum by means of a suction box 149which is mounted between the supporting plate 100 and the driving drum104. The suction box 149 is provided with a semicircular port 150opening on the outer face which engages with the inner face of thedriving drum 104, which port 150 is aligned with the inner openings orterminals of the passageways 146 for a portion of the movement of thedrum 104 around the end of the conveyor. The port 150 in the suction box149 is connected by a passageway 151 and connecting members 152 with asource of vacuum (not shown). As the plate section 108 passes around thedrum 104 vacuum is applied through the port 150 in the suction box 149and the passageway 146 in the drum 104 to the cup member 114 which holdsthe one end of the egg in position therein. The other end of the egg issupported during its movement to the cracking position by mechanismwhich will be described, subsequently. I

The cracking conveyor mechanism 12 is supplied with eggs by the transferdevice 11 which moves a row of six eggs into position for delivery abovethemechanism 12. The eggs are gripped by the fingers 73 and 74 andmechanism is provided to automatically release them from the gripperfingers for deposit in the rubber holding clips 15 while the conveyormechanism 12 is in motion. As the transfer mechanism 11 approaches thecups 15 the cam arm or rod 87 is engaged by one of the angle members 145on the cup carrying plates 107 which causes the arm 87 on the transfermechanism to move the rock shaft 67 in its axial direction, against theforce of the spring 70, with the continuously moving cracking conveyorwhile the eggs are deposited by opening of the gripper assemblies on thetransfer mechanism. 4

The movable gripper fingers 74 are moved out of gripping engagement withthe eggs by engagement of the trip arms 77 with a verticallyreciprocating cam or release bar 153 (Fig. 7). The gripper release bar153 is supported on a pair of vertically extending side arm or postmembers 154 which are slidably mounted in vertically positioned sleevemembers 155 secured on the inner face of the vertical support plate 100.The bar 15 3 is raised and lowered by means of an operating arm 156which is mounted for rotation on a shaft 157 journaled in the supportplate 100 and which strikes a cross bar 158, extending between the postmembers 154 below the release bar 153, during a portion of its rotativemovement. The shaft 157 extends through the plate 100 and is rotated bythe power mechanism in a manner which will be described subsequently. hv

A vertically positioned cam plate 159 which is mounted on a bracket 160secured on the top edge of the support plate 100, is arranged at the endof the cam bar 153 for engaging the cam rod 87 on the transfer mechanism11 to tilt the plate 71 in the clockwise direction sufiicient to movethe gripping fingers 73 away from the eggs after they are deposited onthe conveyor and to permit withdrawal of the transfer mechanism withoutinterference with the eggs as they areadvanced by the cracking conveyormechanism 12. Withdrawal or upward movement of the transfer mechanismreleases the rod 87 from engagement with the angle plate 145 on theconveyor and permits the spring 70 to return the gripper assemblymechanism to normal position for picking up the next succeeding row ofeggs from feed conveyor 10.

Mechanism is provided forseating the ends of the eggs securely in thecups 15 which comprises a small, generally circular plate 161 (Figs. 3A,7, 13 and 14) havinga sponge rubber pad 162 on the lower face which isadapted to engage the free end of the eggs as they pass beneath thesame. The plate 161 is mounted on an angular arm 163 which is secured ona pivot pin 164 journaled in upstanding bearing plates 165 secured onthe rear face of the support plate 100. The supporting arm 163 is 10extended beyond the pivot pin 164 for intermittent e11 gagement by arotatable cam 166 which is mounted on the end of a stub shaft 167 whichis journaled in the frame plate and carries a driving pinion 168engaging in driving relation with a gear 169 on the conveyor drive shaft106. The supporting arm 163 is apertured to receive a guide post 170having its lower end fixed in a boss 171 on the inner face of the frameplate 100 and having a compression spring. 172 supporting the bracketarm 1 63 for cushioned movement on its pivot 164. The cam 166 isoperated to intermittently pivot the arm 163 in timed relation to themovement of the eggs onthe conveyor mechanism 12 so that each egg istapped by downward movement of the sponge rubber pad 162 to moresecurely seat the egg in the cup 15 and insure that the vacuum will beeffective on the endof the egg and hold it in the cup as it moves aroundthe end of the drum 104.

As the eggs move around the end of the conveyor mechanism 12 with oneend seated in a suction cup 15 thereon the opposite end is received in acooperatin-g suction cup 16 on a rotary head mechanism 13' (Figs. 7, 14,15'). The latter comprises a carrier head or rotary drum which isarranged for rotation on a shaft 181. The shaft 181 is journaled in theframe plate 100 in alignment with the shafts 105 and 106 and is spacedfrom the shaft 106 at the leading end of the conveyor mechanism 12. Therotary head 180 is provided with a series of radially extending.apertures or slots 182 in the outer face along the sides of each ofwhich are secured a pair of gibs 183 forming guideways for block members184 of generally rectangular shape which carry the holding cups 16 forengaging the outer ends of the eggs as they pass around the end of theconveyor mechanism 12. Each bldck 184 is sliclable in a guideway 182 andhas extending in the radial direction relative to the head 180 a supportblock 185 on the outer end of which is mounted a nipple forming tubularmember 186 which receives on its outer end a funnel-shaped rubber cupforming member 187 of' the same construction as the cup forming members1 14 on the conveyor 12.- The members 184, 185 and 186 are providedwithan internal passageway 188 which communicates with the interior ofthe cup forming member 187 at one end and with an under-cut recess 189on the bottom of the sliding. block 184 at the other end. A suction box190 is provided between the rotary head 180 and the supporting plate 100which has a semicircular port 191 on the front face, which is inengagemerit with the rear face of the head 180, the port 191 beingconnected, by suitable members, indicated at 192, to a vacuum pump orother source of suction.

A fixed cam plate 193 is supported by a bracket 194 extending forwardlyfrom the frame plate 100 in front of the rotary head 180 andadjacent theouter face thereof. This plate has a cam surface or track 195 which isadapted to engage the forward or outer edge of the support block 185 tolimit the outward movement of the cup 16 as it approaches the positionwhere it is released to engage the outer end of the egg in the cup 15 onthe conveyor mechanism 12. As the holder cups 16 move away from thecracking position the outer edge of the block 185 engages a cam surfaceor track 196 on a cam plate 197 which is supported on a bracket 198extending from the frame plate 100. The cam 197 returns the cup 16 toits innermost position. The inward movement of the cups 16 relative tothecenter or axis of the head 180 is limited by engagement of the innerend of the slide block with a collar 199 secured on the end of the shaft181. A stop washer 182' fixed at the outer end of each guideway limitsthe outward movement of the slide block 184 between the cam plates 193and 197.

Each cup 16, as it approaches the position where it engages the end ofthe egg, is snapped toward the egg to insure that it will properly seaton the end thereof and that the vacuum will be effective through the cupbody 187. The mechanism for snapping the cups 16 into position as thehead rotates the individual cups towards the on a shaft 201 which issecured to the lower end of one arm 202 of a bell crank member whichbell crank member is pivoted at 203m the lower end of a depending arm204. The other arm 205 of the bell crank is connected at its outer endto one end of a tension spring 206. The other end of spring 206 isconnected to the end of the upper end of arm 204. The arm 204 is securedon the end of a shaft 207 which is mounted for rocking or rotatingmovement in a holder or bearing sleeve 208. The sleeve 208 is secured toa plate member 2.09 which is in turn secured to an upstanding extensionplate 210 on the frame plate 100. The shaft 207 carries on its outer enda vertically extending cam operating arm 211 which is adapted to beintermittently struck by a cam plate 212 mounted on the end of a stubshaft 213 which is journaled in the frame plate 100. The'shaft 213 isrotated by means of a pinion 214 mounted thereon and in drivingengagement with a gear 215 on the shaft 181 which carries the rotaryhead 180. The gear 215 is connected in driving relation with gear 169 onthe drive shaft 106 by means of idler pinion 216 and .the cooperatingpinion 168 on stub shaft 167. As the head 180 rotates to bring a cup 16into cooperative relation with a cup 15 on the conveyor mechanism 12 theforward edge of the cup carrier member 185 engages with the cam surface195 which moves the cup holder radially toward the center of the head180. During this movement thecam roller 200 engages the rear of theblock 185 and urges the same outwardly toward the cam surface 195. Thespring 206 is tensioned slightly. by rotation of the shaft 207 throughengagement of the cam plate 212 with cam arm 211 on the other end of theshaft 207 so that when the cup member 185 moves out of engagement withthe cam surface 195 the tension in the spring 206 kicks the cup towardsthe egg with which it is to be engaged so that the funnel-shaped cupbody 187 is snapped against the end of the egg. With this arrangementseating of the end of the egg in the. cup

" member 187 and effective operation of the suction or vacuum throughthe same is insured.

The egg is firmly engaged on both ends by the suction cups 15 and 16when it reaches a horizontal position where it is broken or cracked byrelease of the cocked cracking knife arm 127 which is associated withthe suction cup 15. Prior to the release of the cracking knife arm 127for the cracking operation the entire cracking assembly 119 is movedinto the proper position for cracking the egg, the extent of themovement depending upon the size and shape of the egg. A cam plate 217('Fig. 14), which consists of a relatively thin resilient strip isarranged on a bracket 218, adjustably secured on the upright supportingbracket or post 219 which is mounted on a top bar 102 of the supportingframe. The cam plate 217 engages the bell crank arm 143 on the crackingassembly 119 and moves the entire assembly outwardly away from thesupporting plate 107 to position the plate 123 with the recess 124receiving the egg and with the outer peripheral surface of the eggengaging the edge of the plate defining the recess 124. The peripheralportions of the size gauging plate 123 around the recess 124 engage theegg on its upper side as the plate 123 is moved into position. The knifearm 127 which is in a cocked position extending away from the other sideof. the egg is released by engagement of the latch plate 135 with a pin220 on a bracket 221 which is adjustably secured on supportpost 219.Release of the knife arm 127 permits the spring 139 to snap the knife128 against the egg surface, the stop member 130 which limits themovement of the knife 128 being so positioned that the knife edgepenetrates the shell and cracks the egg permitting the two sections orshell portions into which it is thus divided to be moved apart bycontinued movement of the cups 15 and 16 in their respective paths.Further movement of the shell portions, of course, dumps the contents ofthe egg, which falls freely beneath the cracking position.

As the suction cup 15 moves beyond the cracking position the bell crankarm 143 of the cracking assembly 119 engages a roller 222 which ismounted on a shaft 223 supported on a bracket 224 which is secured tothe upstanding post 219 and the knife arm 127 is returned to its cockedposition with the latch plate re-engaging the end 134 thereof.

Further movement of the cup 15 carries it around on the lower or returnrun of the conveyor mechanism 12 to a shell releasing mechanism whichinsures that the empty shell portion will be removed from the cup 15 ifit fails to drop free after the cup leaves the end supporting drum 104and the vacuum is broken. The shell releasing mechanism comprises asupporting plate 225 (Fig. 12) extending beneath the lower run of theconveyor mechanism 12. Plate 225 is supported by means of a pair ofposts 226 extending from the vertical supporting plate 100 and carriesadjacent its outermost edge a plurality of disks 227 each of which ismounted in freely rotating relation on a small shaft 228. The disks 227are positioned so that they extend into the path of the cups 15 as thelatter passes along the plate 225. The

disks 227 each strike the body 114 of the cup 15 so that the cup body114 is squeezed between the disk and the flange 144 on the knifeassembly 119 as it passes each disk. This tends to break the hold ofthecup on the egg shell which falls free beneath the conveyor mechanism toa suitable receiving member (not shown). The cracking assemblies 119 aresupported along the outer ends of the plates 123 as they pass along thelower run of the conveyor mechanism 12 by an elongate bracket or railmember 229 (Fig. 7) which is adjustably supported on a bracket 230extending above the frame member 102. A drain pan 231 is providedbeneath the conveyor mechanism 12 adjacent the cracking station forreceiving any albumen which drains from the shell portion immediatelyafter the cracking and dumping operation.

The other portion of the shell which is held in the cup 16 on head ismoved by the head 180 (Fig. 14) to a shell releasing device at the otherside of the head which comprises a pair of spaced disks 232 mounted forfree rotation on the ends of support pins 233 which are in turn securedto an angle bracket 234 extending outwardly of the vertical frame plate100. As the cups 16 pass between the disks 232 the ends of the cups aresqueezed sufficient to release the egg shell, the vacuum holding it inthe cup being also released at this point. A drainage pan 235 isarranged beneath the head 180 to collect any albumen which drains fromthe egg shell as it passes above the same on the rotary head 180.

When the egg is cracked and the shell portions separated, by continuedmovement of the cups 15 and 16 in their respective paths, the contentsof the egg is dumped and falls into one of a series of receiving cups 17which are carried on the endless conveyor 14 (Fig. 1). The conveyor 14is supported for movement in a hori zontal plane, with the cups 17 beingmoved over a generally triangular path having a short side thereofextending beneath the point where the eggs are cracked at the end of theconveyor mechanism 12. The conveyor 14 is supported on the top rails 102of the main supporting frame at the end forming the short side of thetriangle while it is supported along the two longer sides on atriangular supplemental frame 236 attached to the main frame. Theconveyor 14 comprises a chain 237 mounted on the three sprockets 238,239 and 240 which are arranged in triangular relation. The drivingsprocket 240 is mounted on a vertical shaft 241 (Fig. 3A) which issupported in an angular bearing bracket 242 on the rear face of thevertical frame plate 100 and an end bearing i3 243 mounted on the top ofthe main frame member 102. The shaft 241 carries at its upper end abeveled gear 244 which is in driving relation with a bevel gear 245 onthe driven shaft 181. The idler sprockets 238 and 239 are mounted onshafts 246 and 247, the former extending upwardly of the top framemember 102 adjacent the rotary head 180, and the latter extendingupwardly of the outer end of the supplemental frame 236. The verticalframe plate 100 is apertured at 248 (Fig. 3A) to permit the conveyor 14to pass through the same beneath the cracking station.

The conveyor chain 237 carries a substantial number of the cupassemblies 17 which receive the egg contents as it is dumped from theseparating shell portions beneath the cracking station. Each of the cupassemblies 17 comprises a generally circular main portion 249 (Figs. 16,17 and 18) which is flattened along opposite sides to permit closerspacing of the cups on the conveyor chain 237, and a central egg yolkreceiving cup section 250 which is movable relative to the main portion249. The yolk cup 250 is normally positioned in closing relation in acentral aperture 251 formed in the bottom of the main cup section 249,the bottom wall sections 249' being tapered downwardly and inwardly inone or more steps toward the central aperture 251. A peripheral flange252 depends from the main cup section 249 Which has an open inner sideat 253. A closure cap or plate 254 is arranged at the bottom of theflange 252 which is provided on its upper or inner face with anapertured boss 255 for receiving in sliding relation therein a dependingpin 256 on the yolk cup 250. The base plate 254 has attached to thebottom thereof a guideway forming, elongate, rectangular plate 257 inwhich there is slidably positioned a bar 258 having therein an elongateaperture 259 for accommodating the pin 256 on the yolk cup and having atits outer end an upturned angular portion 260. The flange 252 on the cupmember 249 has attached, in fixed relation thereto, the leg portion of aU-shaped hanger yoke or bail 261 which is adapted to be positioned withthe bight forming portion in a holder 262 attached to the conveyor chain237.

Each of the holders or cup supporting brackets 262 comprises ahorizontal flange portion 263 which is attached by suitable rivets tothe top plate of a chain link or to the ends of the pivot membersconnecting the chain links, and a vertical flange portion 264 dependingfrom the chain 237 and terminating in a reversely bent end portion 265having an outwardly directed lip 266. The reversely bent portion 265provides a pocket for readily detaohably receiving the bail 261 on thecup assembly 17. The bail 261 is held in the pocket of the supportingbracket 262 by a latching member which comprises a generally U-shapedframe with the lower or end portions of the legs 267 positioned toextend downwardly along the side edges of the vertical plate portion 264and with the upper portions of the legs and the bight portion 268extending above the flange portion 263 of the bracket 262. The latchingmember is attached to the bracket 262 by means of a pivot rod 269secured to the forward edge of the flange 263 and having its endsextending through suitable bearing apertures in the leg portions 267.The weight of the bight portion 268 tends to hold the legs 267 withtheir ends over the bight portion of the cup bail 261 when it isattached to the hanger bracket 262. With this arrangement each cupassembly 17 is connected in latched relation with its hanger bracket 262but the latch may be quickly swung to release the bail 261 and permitthe cup assembly 17 to be readily removed from the conveyor 14. The cupassemblies 17 are also connected to the hangers 262 so that they willnormally swing in a downward direction unless they are supported.

A supporting rail 270 is arranged in generally parallel 281 arrangedbeneath the conveyor;

14 relation with the path of travel of the conveyor chain 237 andextending along a major portion thereof, which supports the bottom ofthe cup assembles 17. The rail 270 extends through the aperture 248 inthe vertical frame plate 1% and beneath the cracking station to hold thecup assemblies 17 in horizontal position for receiving the contents ofthe eggs as they are dumped from the broken shell portions thereof atthe cracking station. The supporting rail 270 extends around thesprocket 238 and a predetermined distance along the path of the chain237 between the sprockets 238 and 239. The cup assemblies 17 aresupported in horizontal position and in assembled relation for asutiicient distance to permit the operator of the machine to observe thecondition of the contents of the eggs so that any cup assembly may beremoved when the egg which it receives appears to be undesirable. Theyolk cup 254) remains in closing relation in the bottom aperture 251 ofeach cup assembly 17 until the cup reaches a cam plate which has aninclined portion 271 which lifts the stem 256 of the yolk cup 250 asufficient distance above the aperture 251 to permit the albumen or eggwhite in the cup to drain through the aperture 251 and into a suitablereceptacle 01' pan 272 arranged beneath the portion of the path oftravel of the conveyor. The cam plate 271, which is relatively short,extends inwardly in the direction of the conveyor chain 237 from thesupporting rail 270 and is supported from the latter or by suitablebrackets extending from the auxiliary supporting frame 236 which alsosupports the rail 270 at this point. As the cup assembly 17 passes overthe end of the horizontal portion 273 of the cam plate the pin 256 dropsthe yolk cup 250 and cuts off the egg white against the edges of theaperture 251. A second inwardly extending cam plate is arranged,slightly beyond the end of cam plate 271, with an upwardly inclined endportion 274 whichagain raises the yolk cup stem 256 to permit furtherdrainage of the albumen from the cup as the cup assembly 17 moves alonga horizontal portion 275 thereof around the end sprocket 239. The pan272 for collecting the albumen which drains from the cup during thisperiod of operation may be extended to the end of the conveyor 14 and issupported in generally horizontal position by suitable bracket mem bersextending from the supplemental frame 236. The rail 270 terminatesbeyond the sprocket 239 on the back run of the conveyor where the cupassemblies 17 are supported for a short distance by an elongate plate276 (Fig. 1) which also raises the pins 256 and with them the yolk cups250 to permit further drainage of the albumen from the main cup sections249 of the cup assemblies 17. The plate 276 is supported by a bracketstructure 277 extending outwardly of the frame 236. The bracketstructure 277 also provides a support for a removable drainage pan 278arranged beneath the plate 276 to receive any albumen which drains fromthe cups 17. As the cup assemblies 17 pass beyond the end of thesupporting plate 276 they normally swing to a vertical position andallow the yolks which are retained in the yolk cups 250 to be dumpedinto a pan or chute 279 (Fig. 3B) arranged beneath the conveyor. Anoutwardly positioned support bar 280 is arranged on the bracketstructure 277 which engages beneath the end of the slide bar 258 whenthe latter has been moved to an outwardly extending position by theoperator. This is done when it is desired to separate out a dark yolk.The operator merely moves the slide bar 258 outwardly to its outermostposition when he observes the dark yolk and when the cup assembly withthe slide bar 258 extended reaches the end of the support plate 276 itis still held in horizontal position by the support bar 280 until itreaches the end of the latter when it is allowed to swing into avertical position and dump the yolk into a second pan or chute As the"cup assem- 15 blies pass beyond the chute 281 they are engaged by anupwardly inclined portion 282 of the supporting rail 270 which swingsthem into a horizontal position for movement along the short side oftheir path beneath the cracking station.

As the cup assemblies 17 swing to the vertical position for dumping ordischarging the yolks the slide bars 258 which are not already extendedmove to their outermost position by gravity. They are returned to normalretracted position by engagement of their ends with a resilient camplate 283 (Fig. 1) which is supported on the main frame of the machineby a bracket 284.

The main drive for the machine is positioned on the rear face of thevertical frame plate 100 (Fig. 3A). It comprises a motor or other powersource (not shown) with a driven belt or chain, which drives a speedreduction or control unit indicated at 285. The output gear 286 on thelatter is in driving engagement with the gear 169 on the drive shaft 106for the conveyor mechanism 12. The gear 169 is in driving relation witha gear 287 on the shaft 157. A bevel gear 288 carried on the end of theshaft 157 is in driving engagement with bevel gear 289 on the end ofshaft 62, the latter being journaled in bearings 290 mounted on theframe plate 100. The connections between these driven members and theoperating mechanisms of the machine have been previously described.

I claim:

1. In an egg handling machine, a conveyor having a plurality of hollowtubular supports thereon, a plurality of suction cups on said supportsfor receiving and gripping the ends of the eggs, said suction cups beingformed of rubber-like material and each comprising a relatively flexiblecone-shaped body for receiving the end of the "in said body extendingbetween the end of the egg and the end of the support, said suction cupsbeing positioned on the supports with said internal flange spacedoutwardly of the end of the support and a wad of sponge rubber betweensaid flange and said support.

2. In an egg handling machine, a conveyor having a hollow supportthereon, a suction cup on said support for receiving and gripping theend of an egg, said suction cup comprising an outwardly openingrelatively flexible hollow cone-shaped body of rubber-like material,said body terminating at its inner end in a hollow base forming portionfor connecting the same with said support, a relatively flexibleinternal flange in the body, said suction cup being positioned with saidinternal flange spaced outwardly of the support and a wad of spongerubber between said flange and said support.

3. In an egg handling apparatus, an egg carrying endless conveyorarranged to operate in a vertical plane, said conveyor having aplurality of egg engaging suction cups thereon, a rotatable wheeladjacent the leading end of said conveyor, said wheel having arrangedthereon in circumferentially spaced relation a plurality of suction cupsfor cooperation with the suction cups on the conveyor to griptherebetween successive eggs and support the same for a predeterminedportion of their movement, the suction cups on said wheel being mountedon slide blocks and said wheel having radial guideways on the outer facethereof for receiving said slide blocks, and means for controlling themovement of said slide blocks in said guideways.

4. In an egg handling apparatus, an egg carrying endless conveyorarranged to operate in a vertical plane, said conveyor having aplurality of egg engaging suction cups thereon, a rotatable plate membersupported at the leading end of the conveyor and having arranged thereona plurality of suction cups for cooperation with the suction cups on theconveyor to grip therebetween successive eggs and support the same whilethey are advanced to a cracking station, the suction cups on said platemember being mounted on slide members, said plate member having radialguideway formations thereon for receiving said slide members, springpressed means for urging said slide members outwardly in said guidewayformations, and means including cam members for controlling the outwardmovement of said slide members to position the suction cups thereon forsnap engagement with the eggs.

5. In an egg handling apparatus, an egg carrying endless conveyorarranged to operate in a vertical plane, said conveyor having aplurality of egg engaging suction cups thereon, a rotatable supportingplate arranged at the leading end of said conveyor and having thereon incircumferentially spaced relation a plurality of suction cups forcooperation with the suction cups on the conveyor to grip therebetweensuccessive eggs and support the same while they are advanced to acracking station, the suction cups on said supporting plate beingmounted on slide blocks and said supporting plate having radialguideways receiving said slide blocks, spring pressed means for urgingsaid slide blocks outwardly, and means for holding the slide blocksagainst the spring pressure until the cups thereon reach the eggengaging position and then releasing the same for snap engagement withthe eggs.

6. In an egg handling apparatus, an egg carrying endless conveyorarranged to operate in a vertical plane, said conveyor having aplurality of egg engaging suction cups thereon, a rotatable wheeladjacent the leading end of said conveyor, said wheel having arrangedthereon in circumferentially spaced relation a plurality of suction cupsfor cooperation with the suction cups on the conveyor to griptherebetween successive eggs and support the same while they areadvanced to a cracking station, the suction cups on said wheel beingmounted on slide members and said wheel having guideways for receivingsaid slide members, and means for controlling the movement of said slidemembers in said guideways.

7. In an egg handling apparatus, an egg carrying endless conveyorarranged to operate in a vertical plane, said conveyor having aplurality of egg receiving suction cups thereon, a turret rotatablymounted adjacent the leading end of said conveyor, said turret havingarranged thereon in circumferentially spaced relation a plurality ofsuction cups for cooperation with the suction cups on the conveyor togrip therebetween the successive eggs and support the same while theyare advanced to a cracking station, the suction cups on said turretbeing mounted for reciprocating movement in a radial direction, andmeans for controlling the reciprocating movement of said last mentionedsuction cups including a cam member and a spring actuated kicker memberfor moving the cups outwardly to engage the same with the eggs.

8. Mechanism for transferring eggs from a feed conveyor on which theeggs are arranged in successive transversely extending rows to anelongate continuously moving endless carrying conveyor which is arrangedto operate in a plane extending transversely of the end of the feedconveyor and which is provided with longitudinally spaced egg receivingcups, said mechanism comprising a plurality of egg gripping fingerassemblies mounted in row forming relation on a swingable carryingframe, said frame being mounted to swing from a position adjacent theend of the feed conveyor where the gripping assemblies are adapted toreceive a row of eggs to a position adjacent the upper run of thecarrying conveyor where the eggs are deposited in the egg receivingcups, means cooperating with said transfer mechanism for operating thegripping fingers to grip the eggs on the feed conveyor and to releasethe same for deposit in the cups on the carrying conveyor, and means formoving said gripper assemblies in the direction of advancing movement ofsaid carrying conveyor for a distance sufficient to permit release ofthe eggs from the gripper assemblies and withdrawal ofthe same byswinging movement of 17 the carrying frame out of the path of advancingmovement of the eggs.

9. Mechanism for transferring eggs from a horizontal feed conveyor onwhich the eggs are arranged in row alignment to an elongate continuouslymoving endless carrying conveyor which is airanged to operate in avertical plane extending adjacent the feed conveyor and which isprovided with longitudinally spaced egg receiving cups, said mechanismcomprising a plurality of egg gripping finger assemblies mounted in rowforming relation on a swingable carrying frame, said frame being mountedto swing said gripping finger assemblies from a position adjacent thefeed conveyor where the gripping finger assemblies are adapted toreceive a row of eggs to a position adjacent the upper run of thecarrying conveyor where the eggs are deposited in the egg receivingcups, means cooperating with said mechanism for opening and closing saidgripping finger assemblies to grip the eggs on the feed conveyor and torelease the same for deposit in the cups on the larrying conveyor, andmeans for moving said assemblies in the direction of advancing movementof said carrying conveyor for a distance sufficient to permit release ofthe eggs from said assemblies and withdrawal of the same by swingingmovement of the carrying frame out of the path of advancing movement ofthe eggs.

10. A mechanism as recited in claim 9 and each of said egg grippingfinger assemblies comprising a pair of fixed egg engaging fingers and acooperating pivotally mounted finger swingably supported on saidcarrying frame, and cam means for controlling the movement of saidpivotally mounted finger as said carrying frame reaches the limit of itsswinging movement.

11. In an egg handling machine, a conveyor having a plurality of hollowtubular supports thereon, a plurality of suction cups on said supportsfor receiving and gripping the ends of the eggs, said suction cups eachbeing formed of rubber-like material and each comprising a relativelyflexible hollow cone-shaped body for receiving the end of the egg, ahollow base forming extension thereon for engaging over a rigid tubularsupport, a relatively flexible internal flange projecting radiallyinwardly of the inner Wall thereof and a porous cushion-like memberextending between the end of the egg and the end of the support, saidsuction cups each being positioned on its supports with said internalflange in outwardly spaced relation to the end of the support, wherebyto prevent contact of the end of the egg with the support whilepermitting suction to be applied thereto through said porous member.

12. In an egg handling machine, a conveyor having a hollow supportthereon, a suction cup on said support for receiving and gripping theend of an egg, said suction cup comprising an outwardly openingrelatively flexible hollow cone-shaped body of rubber-like material,said body terminating at its inner end in a hollow base form-'- ingportion for connecting the same with said support, a relatively flexibleinternal flange in the body, said suction cup being positioned with saidinternal flange in outwardly spaced relation to the end of the supportand a pad of relatively soft porous material between said flange andsaid support.

13. In an egg handling apparatus, an egg carrying endless conveyormounted on spaced end supports and arranged to operate in a verticalplane, said conveyor having a plurality of egg engaging suction cupsthereon opening in a direction generally parallel with the plane ofoperation of said conveyor, a rotatable frame mounted to operate in avertical plane in horizontal spaced relation to the end support at theleading end of said conveyor, and a plurality of suction cups mounted inperipherally spaced relation on said frame, said cups opening in adirection generally parallel with the plane of opera tion of said frameand cooperating with the suction cups on said conveyor to griptherebetween successive eggs and support the same during a portion oftheir advancing movement, means mounting the suction cups on said framefor sliding radial movement thereon and means controlling the slidingmovement of the cups on said frame.

14. In an egg handling machine, horizontally spaced cooperating egggripping conveyors arranged to operate in a common vertical plane, aseries of suction cups arranged on each of the conveyors for grippingopposite ends of successive eggs to move the eggs in a predeterminedpath in said plane and between said conveyors and means for operatingsaid conveyors to position successive cups thereon in paired oppositelydisposed egg gripping relation, means for delivering eggs to theindividual cups on the one conveyor, means mounting each of the cups onthe other conveyor for movement outwardly of the conveyor in a directionto engage with one end of an egg which has its other end seated in a cupon said first mentioned conveyor and to support the same with the longaxis of the eggs extending horizontally during a predetermined portionof the movement thereof, and means for controlling the outward movementof the cups on said second mentioned conveyor.

15. In an egg handling machine as recited in claim 14 and said means forcontrolling the outward movement of the cups on said second mentionedconveyor including cam members engaging with the mounting meanstherefor.

16. Mechanism for transferring eggs from a horizontally disposed run ofa feed conveyor, on which the eggs are arranged in successivetransversely extending rows with the long axis of each egg verticallydisposed, to an elongate continuously moving endless carrying conveyor,which has a run thereof arranged to travel in a generally vertical planeextending transversely of the end of the feed conveyor and which isprovided with upwardly opening egg receiving cups arranged in spacedsingle file relation thereon, said mechanism comprising a plurality ofegg gripping assemblies mounted in row forming relation on a swingablecarrying frame, said carrying frame being mounted on an axis extendingtransversely of said feed conveyor and being operative to swing saidgripping assemblies from a position adjacent the end of the feedconveyor to a position adjacent the upper run of the carrying conveyor,said gripping assemblies comprising pivotally mounted egg engagingfingers normally urged into egg gripping position, means adjacent saidfeed conveyor cooperating with said transfer mechanism for operating thepivotally mounted gripping fingers to engage a row of the eggs when theassemblies are swung into predetermined position above the feed conveyorand means adjacent the carrying conveyor for operating the pivotallymounted gripping fingers to release the eggs for deposit in the cupswhen the assemblies are swung into predetermined position above the cupson the carrying conveyor, said egg gripping assemblies being mounted onsaid carrying frame for reciprocating movement in a direction transverseof the end of the feed conveyor, and means operative upon said egggripping assemblies when said carrying frame is swung to egg releasingposition above the upper run of said carrying conveyor to reciprocatesaid egg gripping assemblies so that said egg gripping assemblies movein the direction of advance of the upper run of said carrying conveyorduring release of the eggs therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSRe.21,746 Rundell Mar. 11, 1941 1,278,537 Wegner Sept. 10, 19181,887,211 Mortimer Nov. 8, 1932 1,987,336 Powell Ian. 8, 1935 2,135,778Wyland Nov. 8, 1938 2,536,057 Hudson et a1. Jan. 2, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS57,626 Denmark May 6, 1940 58,620 Denmark Apr. 7, 1941

